Demountable rim.



w. ems. DEMOUNTABLE RIM,

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24. 19W.

1,261,120., Patented Apr. 2, m1 8.

2 SHEETSSHEET Iagi.

All, {w l W. GRI'ES.

DEMOUNTABLE RIM. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24,1917- 1 61 ,120, Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

i r'wILLmm GBIES, or nnwnnmnnw I i DEMOUNTABLE mm.

" citizen of the United- Sta'tes, residing at Newsilrlg in the county of Essex and: btat'e s 'of- New Jersey, have inventcd certain new and ii'seful IInprovementsZ in Demountable "itirnsfof which the followijng'is' a specificarlon;

. for? locking the' resilient ti I B carrying rim n place onthei Wheel felly."

WheeL. is satisfactory under ordinary con- 2 --diti'oiis and may 'usuallyube. removed; Without muchefiort, it'hzi's been foundithut 1111-.

der condition'where considerable m ld; and 20 Water v iS BI1(;Oi1I\ti8d that these rims are, fheldon the felly' so tightly; by rust, swell-v ingwand, other "faotors that itis' frequently ent inventionghas in view a structure "of 3'0 special litilityiind practicabilityfor truck Wheels "and :ivhich ivill entirely o'bw iatethe b je'c'tiofis "to many 'typee'of dcinountable' ri'n s"as 'well'ns the iobjectio is' to the said f clench'er tyjpelq, i I 35 "Another midfi'eiry important object of the inventioh is to-l provide a structure wvherein the tii'ciocking means/hash .bincL mg or c1ampingengagcinent with the inner clrcumference (if-"the tirejcarrynig run 40 throughout thecntire area-of Suchgcircumfol-once; thereby p1'( )V1dlI1{ o, frictional ongcgement between these parts co-cxtensn'e with the circnnifeircncc thereof while at the. {some timeprowding t brace support for 45 the tire carrying rim contmuously through-V out its inner circumference instead of at d points (if/contact as s the case n j many forms of. construction. Furthermore the improved lockin'g rneans'is so designed 59 and arranged in connection with its/comple-v spemmo'n of Letters Patent.

mud and Water from in and leave the loctnng dev mum amount of eifort.

This invention relates-to demountable rim 10- devicesior vehicle Wheels, and more par-w ---t'1c1 11ar1y to an lmprovementjin. the means Whilethe type of tieinountable rim, which 15 contacts directlyviiiith theiwoodjfelly of the liable-construction which may be c-iisii'y sembled and manipulated in both 319.com and removing "the tire carrying of the'invention'is shown in the nit-compo 'ing. drawings, in Nii'iChI+- contracte i position, 2'. e. out of hi.

line 5-5 of 2 showing more chaniriy li hting-sled Noyexiibei' 24, 1917. Sei'ia1No.303,'F4-t.

ine'ntal members as to completely close the space between the Wheel fell] and. the carrying rim, to thereby ent ety in surmcen in con dition to-be readily 'reiczised wit.

the invention does not contemplate any changein' the rim whim curries tho tire bpt only an improvcxnentin the means for lacking thefusuaicircular rn v to the who-e1 6E3 folly, and Wlth this in view nuns to provide a simple, przacticnii, etiicicnt and i fro-iii the wheel, and one which is p-li -ticuinriy useful with truck wheels.

' With the above and other nbjcctsin view that will more rcadiiy appear is the nature of-the invention .bcttor nndci'stood,

same conslsts, in the novel conmrnctioin combination and arrangement of parts b inafter more fully dcscribcii, illustrated and claimed. I

A, prcfer1'e(i and practical einbmiiin Figure 1 is aneicvntion of a wheel. bodying the present 11-111 10C il1l3f impm ments,'the several parts there .L F

tact with the vtire carrying; rim,

Fig. 2 is a View, similar to Fipt it wi 1 the shiftable segmental Wedge sections of the structure shown in operative holding W 'engagementwith the tire carrying rim.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View on the line 3--3 oi Fig. 1. V Fig. 4 is a detail perspective View of portion-of the fixednvedge 'ficiiyo'im and. t5 the ends oi the shiftnbie sections showing; the relation of the latter to the trans'mrso locking key-Wedges.

Fig; 5 is a detaii sectional "view on the how the transverse locking key-wedges engage the rigid shoulder of the fixed wedge element and the tapered end portions of the shiftable sections.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a filler plug which is adapted to close the adjustment clearance space between the shiftable sections when the same are in binding engagement with the tire carryingrim to prevent dirt etc. from collecting therein.

Fig. 7 shows a type of releasing key that may be utilized in forcing the wedge sections apart in the process of removing the rim from the wheel.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

As previously indicated, the present invention does not in any way propose to alter or change the rim which carries the usual. resilient tire, and therefore the drawings show 1 a conventional demountable rim R having fitted thereto a suitable resilient tire T which is adapted'to be fixed to the felly F of the wheel "W through the medium-of the present improved rim-locking structure. This feature of the invention is,' therefore, of much practical importance because it makes possible the use of standard rim and tire equipment. It will of course be understood that although the drawing only illustrates a single tire-carrying rim, the l1) GI1-- tion is equally as useful in connection with l the dual tire carrying runs which are fre quently employed on heavy trucks.

eferring now more particularly to the improved rim locking structure it.will be observed that the same essentially comprises a fixed wedge element carried by the folly of the wheel, a pair of separate segmental rim-engaging wedges whose end portions overlap, and a plurality oftransverse locking wedges. From Figv 1 it wi l be observed that the said fiXed wedge element designated as 1 is in he form of a circular rim or han ri idly fitted to the Wheel felly 1* in any suitable manner such as by a shrinking opration or otherwise and having its,

outer periphery formed with a plurality of ratchet-like wedge elements 2 which 'provide a plurality of fixed shoulders 3 at suitable intervals that .constitute fixed abut' ments for the purposes hereinafter indicated. rounded by a pair of' separate and independ cntly shiftable' segmental rim-engaging wedges i and 5, whose end portions overlap to provide in efiect a continuous wedge element for locking the tire-carrying rim in place.

Theinner faces of the said wedge sections at and 5 are formed with the inclined s t and the shoulders 7 for respectively engaging with the wedge portions-2 of the This fixed, wedge element 1 is surjustment clearance space 5, while the said end 5* may initially abut against oneof'the locking shoulders 3 of the fixed wedge 1 as shown in Fig. 1. Thus, it will be clear that the sections t and 5 are duplicates and their ends are so formed that when they are in overlapping engagement ample clearance is provided to permit of theirbeing shifted circumferentially against theinclined portions 2 of the fixed wedge element to engage the rim R.

In order to shift the segmental sections with reference to the fixed wedge element,

it is proposed to, insert between each of the shoulders 3 of the latter and the similar adjacent portion of the segments a suitable locking key 8 of wedge form. That is to say, it is proposed o insert these locking keys transversely of the felly between the .fixed shoulders'3 of the wedge element 1 and the adjacent shoulders 7 and ends 4.

and 5 of the segmental sections, and,- in so doing, the side 9 of the key will engage with the straight side of the shoulder 3, while the opposite side edge 10 thereof which is tapered will engage with a similarly tapered face 11 on the shoulder or abutment of the segmental sections. Thus, i will-be clear that when the tr nsverse tapered looking keys are inserted between the fixed shoul-- ders'3 and the corresponding shoulders -or abutments of the separate wedge sections,

the latter will be forced from. the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2, whereby the outer periphery thereof will be uniformly forced and pressed into binding engagement with thetire carryingrim R, throughout its entirejnner circumfere'nce.

' With further reference to the locking keys 8 it will be observed that the same may be provided at each end with a suitable threaded shank portion 8 and 8 to receive thereon the holding lugs. 12 and suitable holding nuts-and Washers 13. When the nuts are screwed onto the shank 8 of the key it will be obvious that the latter will be pulled in sucha dir'ection'as to force'the segmental sectidn into binding engagement with the tire-rim, and owing to thetaper of one side of the key and the corresponding edge of the segment, the latter will be locked against lateral separation from the final folly car "shank 8*ithereoif as slicwi in Fig. 5 thereby lioldmg the lugs 19, in proper relation. to the segments are rlrive11 into erranged so that when the es I'lGCl Wedge, so. that the tighter the rents are. screwed ento the threedcd shank 8, the

tighter the segments Will grip the rim, and also the lighter the segments will be secured to the fixed wedge element 1. /Vhile the continuous irictionel engagement of the seg; mental Wedges 4 and '5 with the rim R is suflicieiit to hold the letter on the wheel, the lugs 12 are employed as an additional safeguard forliclding therim in place, end

else for more efiectu'zilly. closing the opexr,

rings at each end of the keys 8., After-the tesnsvcrse keys 8 have been drawn into final position by the screwing of the nuts on the threaded shanks 8 of each key, the nuts met. be placed. on the opposite threaded rim end. rim engaging means, end else constituting a rigid lock foch'clding the keysthemselves in cosition;

Elites all 01? thetrensverse lacking keys 8 are in position it will be apparent that the adjustment clearance recesses d and 5 are left opeii, end in or lei to prevent the eccumiiletion of (list therein aiid also exclude 433i, the same are filled upor closed by liable tapered filler plug]? shown in 6 the drawings. These plugs must course be rcliioved in order to shift the sections 4 5 lGVBI'SBlY to effect their disengagement with the rim, but as will ,p es ma appear one of these vplugs may be utilized i; assist in this removal action.

binding engagement with the rim l to remove the same from the Wheel, l be'epperent that this operation may be gieetly-feciliteted through-the nuts '13 and lie'tlii'eaded members 8* et the'wide end the lieys 8. That is to say when the nutso the threeded members 8 of the keys Veil, by screwing-the nuts farther w lugs key opening lei-med loct e inclined portions oftne 1e referred 3 I 1 mcici'e me went 'Wli ll the rim, These, iictcltie gripping reletion to be out oi? complete ll hcii it is desired to release the segments v4 end 5 from use opposite threaded member S" the lfi'will act as e fulcrum to pull the out of contest with the shoulders 3 end tapered end portions of the e'butments shown in lliw. '2 may be and the oppesizcg poi'tioc oivv "1; is pro 7 3'; respec-.

engagethat posite direction, thus providuig a fixed shoulder a? on the member 1 and an opposi ig shoulder 31 on the section 5 for the re leasing key to work against; whereby when the key is iforced into the openingby a hem-v imer blow or the like the shoulder w of the notcha: being stationary, will cause the key .14 to exert considerable pressure on the shoulder 3 oi the sectioiffi to force the same in EL-direction oppcslte to that caused by the tightening up "of the locking keys 8. It will of course be understood thet'wllen this key" 1e is inserted in the opening 15 all of the transverse locking keys 8 ere removed Well as the plug P farthest flfill'lllllfi said opening, the ene nearest the opening-however being retained for the purpose of 1mpart ng the same movement to the segment 4 as is imparted tothe segment -5 by the driving" of the releasing keyil l in theopcning lo as above explained; Thus the plug ll which. 15 left in place constitutes a con plmg between the shoulder of the recess 5 in the end of the segment 5 and the end 4 of-thejsegment 4- From 'tlie i oregoing it will be apparent that when iheseverel parts of the rimlocking structu 'e are in thexpositionflshbwn in Fig 1,- the diameter of the felly carried parts is semewhet less than the internal diameter of the rim, whereby the latte: may

"with the rim, the transverse locking keys 8 are inserted between the shoulders 3 of the fixed Wedge element end tlie corresponding sl1oulders'77 enclqends if and 5 'of' the sections 41 mm 5 i'cspectively, and the nuts are placed on thetlireadccl end portions of thekeys thereby locking the la ter in ulece and also holding tliclugs 12 in ositicn to constitute a sefe umml a 'einst accidental lateral separation of the parts. Thus it will be elem: that the securing of the rim to the wheel may be readily eilccted by means of the transverse locking keys 8 andfor the purpose of keeping the clean ance recesses 48 and 5 between the ends of the segmental sections free from: dirt the filler plugs P may be used.

, 011 the other hand when itis desired to remove the mm, the locking keys 8 may be readily removed. in the manner already e pieieed, and plug farthest from the opening 15 mey'alse be removed whereby when the releasing key 1.4: is driven into the seid ogiening 1.5'tl1e sections l and. 5 will both be shifted in e, 'ieverse direction to that lays 8 due to the feet be easily placed in positionthereon. Then, v 111 order to force the separate segmental Wedg'e sectlons 4: and 5 vinto engagementthe invention will be readily apparent, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form, and n'oportion and minor details of the construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the ii'wention or the scope of the appended claims.

1. A demountable rim structure for vehicle wheels including in combination with a folly and tire-carrying rim, a fixed wedge element carried by the folly, a pair of separatesemi-circular shiftable wedge sections arranged between the fixed wedge element and the rim, and adapted to have a binding engagement with the latter throughout its entire circumference and means for shifting the sections circumferentially with reference to the fixed element.

2. A demountable rim structure for vehicle wheels includin the combination with the Wheel folly and tire carrying rim, of an adjustable circular wedge locking device consisting of a pair of separate semi-circular Wedge elements wholly occupying the space between the said felly and said rim, and 'means for causing the separate wedge elements of said device to have a continuous frictional binding engagement'withthe entire inner circumference of the tire carrying rim. i

3. A d'emountable rim structure for vehicle wheels including in combination with a felly and tire-carrying rim, a fixed wedge element fitted tothe felly, a pair of separate semi-circular overlapping wedge sections arranged between the fixed wedge and the rim, and means adapted to be inserted transversely between said fixed and shiftable Wedge members to shift the latter circumferentially, with respect to the fixed wedge.

4. A demountable rim structure for vehicle whcels'including in combination with a felly and tire-carrying rnn, a fixed wedge element having a plurality of wedge faces and intervening shoulders-a pair of separate segmental wedge sections also having inclined faces and shoulders for matching with the corresponding parts of the fixed wedge,and locking keys adapted to be in serted transversely between the adjacent shoulder portions of said fixed wedge element and the sections to shift the latter circumferentially with respect to the former.

5. A demountable rim structure for vehicle wheels including in combination with a folly and tire-carrying rim, a fixed Wedge element consisting of a series of inclines and intervening shoulders, a pair of segmental independently shiftable wedge sections havmatching with similar portions of the fixed ments being beveled, and locking keys adapting inclined portions and shoulders for hicle wheels including in. combination n t ed to'be inserted between the shouide portions of said fixed. Wedge and shiftta c wedge sections and having a straight edge portion for engaging with the shoulders of the fixed wedge and a tapered edge portion for engaging with the said beveled shoulders 7a 'of the shiftable sections.

' and having an overlapping engagement with each other at each end, and means for causing the circumferential shifting of the sec tio ns with reference to the fixed wedge.

7. A demountable rim structure for vehicle Wheels including in combmationwith a felly' and tire-carrying rim, a fixed element fitted to the folly and having a plurality of separate wedges, a pair of separate and in-' dependently adjustable sections arranged between the fixed wedge and the rim and. also having a plurality of separate wedges, and means adapted to be inserted between each separate wedge element of the said. sections and fixed element to cause the. said sections to be shiftedcircumferentiallyon the latter;

8. A demountable rim structure for ye hicle wheels including in combination with member carried by the felly, said means including a tapered body having threaded members at each end thereof for receiving holding nuts.

9. A demountable rim structure fervehicle wheels including in combination with a folly and a tire carrying trim, a fined wedge element carried by the telly and having a notch, a pair or segmental sections adapted to be shifted circuinferentially on the fixed wedge to have a binding engagement with the tire-carrying rim and. also having an over-lapping engagement at each end, and one of said sections having a notch adapted to partly register with the notch on the fixed elements when the segments are in binding engagement with the rim to' produce opposite shoulders, whereby a wedge may be driven therebetween to re-" lease the sections from binding engagemi-znt with the rim.

10. A demountable rim structure for ye a felly and tire-carrying rim, 2 fixed weaigeelement fitted to the felly, a pair of segmental wedge sections each having a recess and.

receiving the adjacent end of theether see-- tion, means for forcing said segmental sections eircumferentially with respect to the fixed wedge to cause the same to frictionelly engage the tire-carrying rim,.and filler plugs at the everlepping ends; in

adapted te inse-FE-eii in I11 testimony Where slgnettu'e m the PTQSQI.

Witnesses:

HERMAN E. l? Emma's M. TM; 

